日本語 – TouchMyAppshttp://www.touchmyapps.com
All Things iPhone and iPad for those who like to Touch. iOS App reviews, News, New Apps, Price Drops and App Gone FreeMon, 05 Dec 2016 20:35:55 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.5i文庫 (iBunko) – The App Store’s best readerhttp://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/08/05/ibunko-the-app-stores-best-reader/
http://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/08/05/ibunko-the-app-stores-best-reader/#commentsWed, 05 Aug 2009 18:26:04 +0000http://www.touchmyapps.com/?p=17247I spend more time reading than tending to important life matters. My wife has even threatened to leave me and my books on several occasions. But not to matter; I’ve found an alternative to the hand-torch and a pillow to hide in the filth of literature: the iDevice. Stanza and eReader Pro have supplied most … Read more]]>

I spend more time reading than tending to important life matters. My wife has even threatened to leave me and my books on several occasions. But not to matter; I’ve found an alternative to the hand-torch and a pillow to hide in the filth of literature: the iDevice. Stanza and eReader Pro have supplied most of my needs till now, but when I feel adventurous, or simply can’t find a great read in English, I turn to Japanese texts. One of the problems however, is that Japanese texts don’t read as naturally when displayed horizontally. i文庫 (iBunko) is a Japanese reader which doesn’t compete directly compete with my favourites. Rather, it exists alongside both apps as a great alternative reader for the highly literate Japanese market and for those who are interested in reading Japanese texts.

iBunko is built from the ground up to be an easy-to-use app which displays Japanese texts in high-resolution fonts. If that is its mandate, it fulfills it in spades. But nagisa’s app goes way beyond any typical reader – with a stubbornly robust feature list, iBunko would also embarrass some application suites in terms of broad utility as a file managing app.

Flawless interface

Firstly, like eReader and Stanza, it plugs into a vast database of free books and includes a built in library of books (151 to be exact!). But 151 books from novels to how-to’s isn’t going to capture the attentions of many readers for for very long. Fortunately, iBunko also links to Aozora, an online resource which houses around 7000 texts and whose origins span the globe. As far as I can be certain, every one is translated into Japanese. Similar to Project Gutenberg, a large portion of Aozora’s collection has become free to download due to a print life of more than 70 years. Other sources, released under Creative Common’s licenses can be found buried within the collection.

While targeted at the Japanese market, learners of the language also stand to benefit from iBunko. Ever read Sherlock Holmes? Well, bone up a bit on its English version, then download the Japanese analogue and enjoy the story via translation. For the most part, iBunko works well for students, and when accessing well-documented texts. But in order to approach some older, archaic texts which need side notes and better look-up tools, users may feel a bit stranded. There isn’t a way to directly access a dictionary though the app. Text cannot be selected, referenced, or queried for study or analysis.

Where iBunko really excels, however, isn’t its excellent implementation of the ‘usual suspects’ – online libraries, texts, and good reading engine. iBunko is a top-notch reader, but it is minutely structured. Users can rename libraries, organise files and libraries, can read from the web or download to the iDevice, and import from user-specified FTP servers and 3rd-party software. FTP access works very well to access TXT and Zip files. When a text file is opened from within iBunko, it is quickly formatted into vertically-aligned text – this works brilliantly with Japanese texts. English texts also receive the same treatment, which is good for a laugh, but not for reading.

Navigation is done by flicking, and to explore the complex menu system, you need to tap the screen to bring up its icons. iBunko is by far a more lovely model than even the latest versions of Stanza and eReader. While harnessing a good flick-based navigation system, it is far better labelled , utilising secondary, dedicated controls such as page forward and backward buttons.

iBunko, meet English!

Therein are also the (somewhat) familiar faces: しおり(bookmark), 青空文庫(the online library), 本棚(your personal library), and 設定(settings). There isn’t space to explain it all in a review except to say that from bookmarks to settings, iBunko is the most comprehensive reader I have encountered on any platform, ever. It will display memory usage for the iDevice and all running processes much like Activity Monitor does in OSX. There is a multitude of controls and tweaks for your reading pleasure from font selection to colours (which can be selected from web-colours in the RGB format); you can update the app’s synthetic data whilst in-app and sync with the entire Aozora database – a project which will keep your iDevice busy for a looooong time.

But that is only scratching the surface. iBunko directs users to texts in a variety of ways. Author, Title, date, popularity, recommended reads, and reviews – each of these can be utilised to find something to read (and trust me, there is definitely something for you). I found this browsing system to be very good, with fewer chinks in its armour than Stanza’s online browser, except that iBunko does not allow you to browse by genre. So, finding something on the very subject you want, may take longer than first anticipated.

Got texts of your own which you want to download onto your iDevice? Not a problem. As mentioned above, it can be done in several ways, the simplest of which is Direct Download from the web. Online texts which are found in either of the supported formats (TXT or ZIP) can be entered directly into the URL field of 指定ダウンロード (direct download) under your bookshelf (本棚). Assuming that the file follows the specifications needed by iBunko, everything will transfer flawlessly to your library. Using FTP or DiskAid, any file you durst offload onto (whoopee!) the device will fit somewhere into the bowels of your device. In other words, iBunko is also a great way to turn your iDevice into a hefty thumb drive. While iBunko will only display TXT and ZIP files in its direct or share folders, anything can be transferred through it to your iDevice. Sadly, my AIFF music file which underwent a name change to a TXT did not read the way I wanted

Remember though, that iBunko is a reader first and foremost; it just happens to do everything else. for reading, it is simply superb. Formatted texts look great, but unformatted TXT files are overhauled in real-time to look like professionally published works. iBunko is extremely easy on the eyes in its default form and can be tweaked to fit your fancy. Titles are displayed in the upper left corner of the device and page numbers on the right. Pinch, spread and pan functions are flawless, and in general, navigation is far smoother than on any other platform. From button placement to GUI consistency, iBunko is a dream to both read and use.

That isn’t to say that its intricacy immediately disseminates to the user, but such a vast application with unparalleled features is mind-bogglingly simple to use. Nagisa also have an excellent online tutorial which will get any user through the basics of just about any function in the app. The caveat? It’s all in Japanese. Of course, considering the market for this application, it is not strike against the company, nor the product, but unless you are extra-adventurous in your studies, it may be daunting. The tutorial is below:

Conclusion
There isn’t much that iBunko lacks. Genre searches and and connection to an online store would help its wide-spread use of course, but in its current form, this reader is head-and-shoulders above the competition. But that is to be expected. Japan is one of the most literate countries in the world, if not the most – apps like Stanza and eReader Pro which have wowed the ABC world are just shy on ability for the かきくけこ world. But then again, Stanza and eReader Pro attack a segment of the population which isn’t targeted by nagisa’s app. If iBunko could be tweaked to read non-Japanese text easily, it would hands-down be the best reader for a multitude of languages across the iPhone. Its combination of text options, library tweaking, stability, and overall feature robustness is peerless among digital readers. For 4,99$, this nagisa app is a steal for those who will benefit from a Japanese reader. Add file storage to the mix and its price deflates even further. But, nothing is perfect, and due to its lack of genre searching and access to a dictionary or other reference tool, iBunko walks away with a grabfrom TMA.

… Read more]]>http://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/08/05/ibunko-the-app-stores-best-reader/feed/6The Long Pencil in Review – Much too shorthttp://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/06/26/the-long-pencil-in-review-much-too-short/
http://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/06/26/the-long-pencil-in-review-much-too-short/#commentsSat, 27 Jun 2009 03:19:59 +0000http://www.touchmyapps.com/?p=14402Like PC Dr. Momo, The Long Pencil is a digital book that features both Japanese and English text. But unlike Dr. Momo, it has a complete audio narration in both languages, and for fun, a lively musical track that fits the children’s literature genre very well. I’d rather not get into the story much at … Read more]]>

Like PC Dr. Momo, The Long Pencil is a digital book that features both Japanese and English text. But unlike Dr. Momo, it has a complete audio narration in both languages, and for fun, a lively musical track that fits the children’s literature genre very well.

I’d rather not get into the story much at all – that would be unfair to those of you who will purchase the app. Rather, I’ll discuss why this app is useful and where it falls short. Firstly, The Long Pencil is bilingual, cute and imaginative. Both Japanese and English-speaking children can enjoy the pictures, story and sound. But beyond that, it can serve as a back-to-back listening and reading comprehension app for students of either language. For these reasons, The Long Pencil is great – its combination of pictures and simple English or Japanese should appeal to learners who need to work on simple grammar structures and vocabulary.

Moving the pictures back and forth is done smoothly with flicks and you can always go back to the app’s home screen by touching the house icon. In audio mode, you control it similarly to watching a YouTube video or an iPod movie.

But, it seems oddly out of place on an iPhone. What I mean is that it is not a book in the traditional sense. If a student is not reading it, then certainly it is better suited for a kid than an adult. But, a kid cannot draw on its pages, dribble Cheerios on its cover or throw it around the room. A kid, having done any of the above will likely experience the same treatment from his/her parents. But, the single most telling example that this is not a book (or platform) suited for kids is the narrative itself. When in audio mode, the book goes on auto-pilot, zooming and panning in and out of pictures with a monologue pushing the story forward. Except that, this monologue is monotone. If for children, it should have more energy and emotion. Even for adults, the narrator should sound like he wants to read the story.

As far as content, ながいえんぴつ or The Long Pencil is rather short! It can be read in under 2 minutes even with one hand tied behind the back. Though having two languages at its base helps the overall length, this is the shortest story I have read on the iPhone.

Overall, The Long Pencil is cute. The story really is nicely written and the fact that it comes in two languages is helpful. But it is really short, narrated in monotones and probably not the best platform for kids. The Long Pencil has a market, but finding it is hard. Is it the student? The parent with a child on her/his lap? Perhaps the similarly inspired artist?

Considering my reservations about market, voice, length and value, I will have to give a Slap to The Long Pencil.

… Read more]]>http://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/06/26/the-long-pencil-in-review-much-too-short/feed/1Dr.コーパス英単語道場 (Dr. Corpus English Vocabulary Dojo) in Review – An excellent Study Toolhttp://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/06/04/dr-corpus-in-review-english-and-japanese-study-tool/
http://www.touchmyapps.com/2009/06/04/dr-corpus-in-review-english-and-japanese-study-tool/#respondFri, 05 Jun 2009 05:50:26 +0000http://www.touchmyapps.com/?p=12253Previously, I reviewed one of Nihon IR‘s other popular English Language study tools, 出る順. Dr. コーパス is similar in its approach in that it isolates vocabulary and allows students to select from different review methods. Both apps are geared for English study, but as I hope to show, are excellent tools for learning Japanese. While … Read more]]>

Previously, I reviewed one of Nihon IR‘s other popular English Language study tools, 出る順. Dr. コーパス is similar in its approach in that it isolates vocabulary and allows students to select from different review methods. Both apps are geared for English study, but as I hope to show, are excellent tools for learning Japanese. While this review will be short, it will focus on how and/or if Nihon IR have managed to create a good study formula.

Sights and Sounds
As in 出る順、Dr. コーパス also makes use of excellently-recorded voice tracks for students to compare/contrast in their studies. Similarly, the menu system, title screens, study and test modes are simply but beautifully designed. Nihon IR have put together a well-polished and aesthetic study app which is a joy to use.

Study Mode
In normal study mode, you can browse from the entire list of vocabulary words or choose from troublesome words. Study mode is the meat and potatoes of Dr. コーパス which features flash cards, word sheets, usage patterns and phrases to study. Here, you will control what and how you study, review pace what words need special attention.

This excellent and comprehensive section can be a real boon to your studies in Japanese or English.

Dojo Mode
Dojo is a review mode that features three different characters who will test you while performing some sort of martial art (I am not joking). If you like tests, dojo mode will be up your alley, but remember, without properly studying first, it may be hard to complete Dojo with good marks.Tests consist of fill in the gaps, listening comprehension and multiple guess sections. There is also a comprehensive test of 40-50 questions that borrows from each of the test modes. Dojo is a fun and cute way to review vocabulary and sentences. Each mode is short, gives immediate evaluation of your vocabulary retention and targets a specific area of vocabulary study.

Positives
Dr. コーパス is a great tool for reviewing vocabulary and sentence structures with excellently recorded audio and an easy to navigate menu system. Its audience is Japanese-speaking, but English students of Japanese will also benefit from this excellent app. The cartoon characters are cute and helpful, the music unobtrusive and the entire app is well polished – a great tool for language students of both languages.

Negatives
While this app is well-engineered, like 出る順, it can be construed as too pricey. Nihon IR make excellent study tools – tools that would benefit the non-Japanese as well as the Japanese student. But, the marketing behind Dr. コーパス is targeted completely at the Japanese market. Nihon IR should translate some of their material and interface to attract the non-Japanese consumer. Current Japanese study apps in the App Store pale in comparison to Nihon IR’s simple, but beautifully engineered products.

Conclusion
Dr. コーパス is a definite Grab. It is wonderfully thought-through from menu items to recorded voice. Vocabulary, sentence patterns and phrases work together perfectly – this app has a premium feel from start to finish. Some may think it pricey, but it is worth it. Unfortunately, Nihon IR’s product is so well-made that it needs to be marketed toward the non-Japanese also. There simply is nothing this well-programmed in the App Store for studying Japanese.